Posted on by Anne Sandler · 42 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #367: Everyone Should See This

When was the last time you hugged a tree? Have you ever hugged a tree? Or maybe you’ve just stood by one and soaked up their energy. I love trees, their energy and graceful branches. This week our guest host Joanne Mason wants us to share some photographs of things/people/places that are inspiring.

I find trees inspiring. I don’t know why. They give me peace, energy and relaxation. Let’s go to the forest first. I love the smell of pine trees. Unfortunately it will take this forest, in the picture on the right, a long time to recover from this fire. Please be careful and show nature the respect it deserves.

It’s Autumn let’s enjoy the beauty of the leaves.

Trees and fungi have a mutually beneficial relationship, where fungi provide trees with water and soil nutrients, while trees supply the fungi with sugars. And they look pretty too!

We have a lot of almond orchards in the Yolo County countryside. When the trees blossom, they are so beautiful. When they are bare, you find a carpet of mustard plants.

I love trees in the fog, especially during the winter season.

And if you’re able to catch that special moment when a tree allows a sunbeam through its leaves, that is just WOW!

I hope this post has you inspired to enjoy trees. When you respond to Joanne’s post please link to hers and use the Lens-Artists tag.

Last week, we looked at the lives of city and rural dwellers urged on by Tina, and it was fun. Next week John will be hosting the challenge.

Until then, stay safe, hug a tree and live in gratitude!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 64 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #347: Break the Rules

When I started this hobby, I didn’t know there were rules, and it was a good thing. I probably would have walked away from any type of constraint. I just enjoyed taking pictures, composing and learning about my camera.

Ritva’s challenge this week has us finding images where we successfully broke the rules–or maybe unsuccessfully! How many of us keep the images that didn’t work? I throw them out, keeping only the best or the ones I like. Those are my excuses for not finding total rule breaking images in my archives.

I chose 2020 for my search because it was sort of midway in my photographic journey. Here’s what I found.

These poppies are totally centered. You might say I filled the frame, but only because I cropped in too tight.

It’s never a good idea to photograph wildlife from the rear, but look at the way this hawk has it’s head turned.

And should the horizon line be in the center of the frame? Maybe it’s okay when the sky is as fantastic as the ground.

Never shoot into the sun! Unless….

Is zooming breaking the rules? I don’t know. I just have fun with it.

And what about moving the camera while the shutter is open? You might get a scrambled jumble of color.

And finally, I think this was a cactus. I don’t know what I did to get this picture.

I think photographic rules are meant to be broken. I basically understand the rule of thirds and not to place the horizon line in the center of the composition; the rest is a mystery to me. I just compose the picture the way I like it.

Thanks Ritva for this soul searching topic. It really was a difficult challenge–at least for me! When you share your response, please link to her post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week Sofia challenged us to post cinematic pictures which was an equally difficult challenge. I enjoyed seeing all your creativity. Next week Egidio will be leading the challenge, so look for his post on Saturday.

In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 37 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #322: There’s a crack in everything

Those of us who strive for perfection will see the cracks in everything. Those of us who accept life as imperfect will not see all the cracks, but see the beauty beyond those fractures. I’m one who looks for beauty to counter the world’s tension, especially here in the U.S.

I chose images for this challenge that offer “hope and redemption and spiritual insight,” as requested by Ritva in her challenge.

Let’s start with spiritual insight. Experiencing a total solar eclipse is a most spiritual encounter. I remember the awe as the day became dark and the only thing to remind us that we were not alone was the ring of light around the moon. Even thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.

Next is fog which darkens the sky and, when thick, creates a blanket of gray mist. The following image was taken during a sunrise walk with my dog while camping. How amazing as the sun shows its dominance. How small are we humans!

Catching first light with your camera is a rewarding experience. This was true for waiting in the dark at Yosemite Falls in the extreme cold. The next image was much easier to catch as I woke up to a beautiful snowy sunrise while at my son’s home. Both brought me exhilaration and awe. For me, both were spiritual in nature.

The sun also accents its own beauty no matter what time of day. You just have to catch it right. As photographers, we know not to miss an opportunity! I’m wondering if this eagle will get a tan on it’s face? I love when flowers are backlit by the sun, creating shadows as softness.

Last come sunsets. The crack in the light diminishes and our view of the world changes. Whether it’s a sunburst showing through an open barn or a beautiful soft glow on a lighthouse, we know another day has come to an end. We anxiously wait to see what tomorrow will be.

Thank you Ritva for this insightful and soul searching challenge. When you reply, please link to her challenge and use the Lens-Artists tag.

And thank you for all your responses to last week’s challenge on ICM. All of your ICMs were amazing and some are still coming in. I did pick up a few tips like shaking the camera. I hope you all enjoyed it.

Next week Egidio leads our challenge, so be sure to look for his post. Until then, stay safe and healthy.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 52 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #260: Overlooked

While looking through my archives for this week’s challenge by Janet of Sustainabilitea (who wants us to post images of things others may normally overlook or something you think other people would overlook), I found images that I was lucky enough not to overlook and some that presented a surprise! So I’m twisting the challenge a bit to show you some images that I’m happy to not have overlooked. I hope you don’t mind Janet.

I didn’t even notice this bee flying into this sunflower until I processed it. I guess I overlooked it completely!

When I walk, I try to look down for small creatures, but I am delighted when I find a colorfully textured log.

I do like trees. When I looked up at this tree, the sun was in the perfect position for me to catch a sunburst.

I’m not a very patient person, but I’m glad I kept my lens out the car window just a little longer just in case this cormorant took flight.

And sometimes we just get lucky. I was watching this goat when he got an itch.

I’m so glad I looked up and saw this restaurant ceiling because a few days later it burned down and all was lost. Sometimes we are meant to be where we are.

This one was overlooked by my photo buddies. I even pointed it out to one, but he didn’t take the shot. It’s all subjective, isn’t it! Can you see the ferris wheel reflection in the restaurant window?

One picture I never overlooked or missed an opportunity to take was of Kamau the Lion at the Sacramento Zoo. He recently passed away at age 16. RIP Kamau.

Thank you Janet, this was fun even though I twisted the challenge a bit. When you post on this challenge, please remember to link to Janet’s post and use the Lens-Artist tag. I totally enjoyed Dan’s Unbound challenge and all your posts and interpretations. Thanks to all our July guest hosts. Next week the team returns with Ann-Christine leading the challenge.

If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, click here for more info. 

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 21 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #122: The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow

I’m sure we’re all waiting and hoping for new beginnings right now. This pandemic is getting old and depressing. We need some sunshine in our lives. This challenge from our guest host Ana of Anvica’s Gallery, is about sunshine and how it helps us get through difficult times with a little self help.

Here’s what she says: “Not every day can be wonderful.  There are times in life when suffering is there, for many reasons, and it is difficult to overcome.  Those moments are part of life and no one gets rid of them.  But how we live those situations and what we learn from them, is within us.   Although a pleasant ray of sunshine always helps, right?”

However, in photography the sun helps us in many ways. First it makes shadows for us.

It can brighten up the gold colored Tower Bridge in Sacramento.

It can help the sunflowers smile and form a sunburst to pop through trees in a forest. It can also be a light at the end of a natural tunnel.

And at sundown it can create magical beauty.

The sun helps us see positivity and can brighten our world. In his blog regarding this challenge John RH quoted some lyrics from “Here Comes The Sun” by the Beatles. Here are all the lyrics:

Here comes the sun, doo da doo doo
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s all right

Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here

Here comes the sun, doo da doo doo
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s all right

Little darling, the smile’s returning to their faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been here

Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been clear

Here comes the sun, doo da doo doo
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s all right

Here comes the sun, doo da doo doo
Here comes the sun
It’s all right
It’s all right 

Yes, one of these days, it will be alright especially if we do some self help. Oh, if you look for the song, try to stream the Richie Haven’s rendition. I’m playing it now, and I’m feeling better. Thank you Ana!